Poetry Unit

Poetry, Take Me Away!
Grade Level or Special Area: Fifth Grade Language Arts

Written by: Tiffani Pritekel, South Mesa Elementary, Pueblo , CO
Length of Unit: Seven lessons (60 minutes each, 17 days, August-May)
I. ABSTRACT
This unit explores the beauty of poetry and its ability to take us away. Students will be
introduced to a variety of poems and poetry concepts. Throughout this unit the students will be
encouraged to read and enjoy poetry while learning how figurative language and mood adds to
the meaning of poetry. The unit will end with students writing and reciting their own poetry.
II. OVERVIEW
A. Concept Objectives
1. Students will develop an appreciation for poetry.
2. Students will understand figurative language.
3. Students will begin to understand poetry terms and how to decipher a variety of
poetry.
B. Content from the Core Knowledge Sequence
1. Language Arts: Poetry (p. 110)
a. Poems
i. The Arrow and the Song, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
ii. Barbara Frietchie, by John Greenleaf Whittier
iii. Battle Hymn of the Republic, by Julia Ward Howe
iv. A bird came down the walk, by Emily Dickinson
v. Casey at the Bat, by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
vi. The Eagle: A Fragment, by Alfred Lord Tennyson
vii. I Hear America Singing, by Walt Whitman
viii. I like to see it lap the miles, by Emily Dickinson
ix. I, too, sing America, by Langston Hughes
x. Incident, by Countee Cullen
xi. Jabberwocky, by Lewis Carroll
xii. Narcissa, by Gwendolyn Brooks
xiii. O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman
xiv. A Poison Tree, by William Blake
xv. The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost
xvi. The Snowstorm, by Ralph Waldo Emerson
xvii. Some Opposites, by Richard Wilbur
xviii. The Tyger, William Blake
xix. A Wise Old Owl, by Edward Hersey Richards
b. Terms
i. onomatopoeia
ii. alliteration
2. Language Arts: Fiction and Drama (p. 111)
a. Literary Terms
i. Literal and figurative language
a) Imagery
b) Metaphor and simile
c) Symbol
d) personification
5th Grade, Poetry, Take Me Away 2003 Colorado Unit Writing Project 1
C. Skill Objectives
1. Students will determine the authors purpose in a variety of poetry. (adapted
from Colorado Language Arts Standard (CLAS) 4)
2. Students will predict and draw conclusions about a variety of poetry. (adapted
from CLAS 4)
3. Students will read, respond to in a response journal, and discuss a variety of
poetry. (adapted from CLAS 6)
4. Students will develop ideas to write a poem illustrating alliteration. (adapted
from CLAS 2)
5. Students will chose vocabulary that communicates their message of alliteration
and onomatopoeia precisely and clearly. (adapted from CLAS 2)
6. Students will identify the sound of poetry including alliteration and
onomatopoeia. (adapted from CLAS 6)
7. Students will draw conclusions about the use of symbolism in a variety of poems
(adapted from CLAS 4).
8. Students will understand metaphor, simile, imagery, symbolism, and
personification to determine how figurative language supports the meaning of
poetry (adapted from CLAS 6).
9. Students will chose descriptive words that communicates their message clearly
and precisely (adapted from CLAS 2).
10. Students will use adjectives appropriately (adapted from CLAS 3).
11. Students will read, respond in a response journal, and discuss a variety of poetry
that represents points of view from places, people, and events that are familiar
and unfamiliar (adapted from CLAS 6).
12. Students will determine the emotions revealed in various poems (adapted from
CLAS 4).
13. Students will generate topics and develop ideas for writing and reciting poetry to
the class (adapted from CLAS 2).
14. Students will choose vocabulary and vivid language that communicates their
poetry clearly and precisely (adapted from CLAS 2).
15. Students will use figurative language in their poetry and understand how
figurative language supports the meaning of their own poetry (adapted from
CLAS 6).
III. BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

A. For Teachers
1. Denman, G. A., When Youve Made it Your OwnTeaching Poetry to Young
People
2. Lansky, B. Kids Pick the Funniest Poems
3. Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders
B. For Students
1. Terms: Stanza and Line (4th grade, pg. 97)
IV. RESOURCES
A. Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders (Lessons One through Seven)
B. Lansky, B. Kids Pick the Funniest Poems (Lessons Two and Seven)
C. Updike, J. A Childs Calendar (Lesson Four)
V. LESSONS
Lesson One: Music is What? (two days at 60 minutes each - August)
A. Daily Objectives
1. Concept Objective(s)
a. Students will develop an appreciation for poetry.
2. Lesson Content
a. The Eagle: A Fragment, by Alfred Lord Tennyson
b. Jabberwocky, by Lewis Carroll
c. Narcissa, by Gwendolyn Brooks
3. Skill Objective(s)
a. Students will determine the authors purpose in a variety of poetry.
(adapted from CLAS 4)
b. Students will predict and draw conclusions about a variety of poetry.
c. Students will read, respond to in a response journal, and discuss a variety
of poetry. (adapted from CLAS 6)
B. Materials
1. Appendix A: Music is What? (one for each student)
2. Appendix B: Sailing (transparency for overhead projector)
3. Appendix C: Jabberwocky Checklist
4. Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders (one per student or make copies of
desired poems for each student)
5. Spiral notebook to be used as a response journal throughout this unit
6. Large, white construction paper (one per group of students)
7. Color crayons (two boxes per group of students)
8. Tape or CD by Christopher Cross that contains the song, Sailing
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Craga steeply projecting mass of rock forming part of a rugged cliff or
headland
2. Azurea light purplish blue
3. Pompdignified or magnificent display
4. Nightingalea European songbird known for singing at night
5. Stanzaone of the divisions of a poem, composed of two or more lines
6. Linea horizontal row of printed or written words
D. Procedures/Activities
1. The main point to remember for this entire unit is that poetry is meant to be fun.
It should be enjoyable to read. This unit is not designed to focus on right or
wrong answers; it is designed to expose the students to poetry and to encourage a
love of reading a variety of poetry.
2. Hand out Appendix A, and have the students answer questions one and two
independently. When the students are finished, have them turn Appendix A over
face down on their desks.
3. Many students do not realize that music is poetry. Put Appendix B on the
overhead projector. Ask for volunteers to read various lines of the poem.
4. Ask the students to write a brief response of the poem in their poetry response
journals. Encourage students to write about the feelings or mental images that
hearing the poem gave them.
5. Now play Sailing, by Christopher Cross. This is the song/poem from
Appendix B. Leave the lyrics on the overhead projector while the song is
playing, and encourage the students to follow along while the song is playing.
6. When the song is over, have the students immediately write a response in their
journals as to how they now feel about the poem. Again, encourage the use of
feelings and images in their responses.
7. Ask for volunteers to share their journal entries and thoughts about the song,
which is actually poetry.
8. Have the students finish filling out Appendix A independently and collect their
papers.
9. The Core Knowledge Sequence lists several poems that the 5th graders are to read
throughout the year. There are usually two to three poems per every two months
or so to cover. The point is not to analyze the exact meaning of each poem. The
objective is to get students comfortable with reading poetry and sharing ideas of
what the poems mean to them.
10. Have the students turn to pg. 7 of Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders
and look at the poem entitled The Eagle: A Fragment, by Alfred Lord
Tennyson. Read over the background information about Alfred Lord Tennyson.
11. Have the students look at the title of the poem. Ask them what they think the
poem is going to be about. Review Stanza and Line (from 4th grade) with the
students. Ask the students how many stanzas this poem has. How many lines
does it have?
12. Read the poem to the class paying attention to punctuation. Make sure that you
do not read too fast, and keep in mind that poetry usually has a beat to it. Pay
attention to the beat that your voice takes as you read the poem. Now, ask for
volunteers to read the poem. Point out the punctuation in the poem. While
reading poetry you should pay attention to the punctuation marks rather than the
end of a line. Go over the vocabulary as needed.
13. Have the students record their reactions to the poem in their reaction journals.
Put the students in groups, and have them share their reactions with each other.
Come back together as a group and discuss reactions. Point out all of the
different reactions or interpretations of the poem. Make sure that the students
feel comfortable to share; students should not be criticized for their
interpretations of the poem.
14. Repeat the above instructions for Narcissa, by Gwendolyn Brooks on pg. 13 of
Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders.
15. During the next class period have the students look at Jabberwocky, by Lewis
Carroll. Have the students read the information about the poem and Lewis
Carroll on pg. 30 of Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders. Have the
students look at the title and ask for reactions. You will probably get some
strange looks from them. Let the students know that Jabberwocky is mainly
nonsense; however, it is one the best known nonsense poems every written.
Despite that fact that Jabberwocky is written with nonsense words, it does have
a story to it if read carefully.
16. Read Jabberwocky to the class to model how it should be read. Ask for any
volunteers who would like to read the poem aloud. Ask for reactions to the
poem.
17. Have students write a story reflecting what they think Jabberwocky is saying.
Let the students know that there is no right or wrong answer, but they should try
their best to interpret Jabberwocky without adding too much of their own
imagination to it. Have the students glue their stories to a large piece of
construction paper and then draw a picture of what they think the Jabberwocky
looks like.
18. Have the students present their posters to the class (see Appendix C:
Jabberwocky Checklist).
19. Create a Jabberwocky bulletin board and display the posters.
E. Assessment/Evaluation
1. Appendix A: Music is What?
2. Appendix C: Jabberwocky Checklist
Lesson Two: Twisted Terms (two days at 60 minutes each, September)

A. Daily Objectives
b. Students will begin to understand poetry terms and how to decipher a
variety of poetry.
2. Lesson Content
a. Terms: Onomatopoeia and Alliteration
b. The Eagle: A Fragment, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
c. Jabberwocky, by Lewis Carroll
a. Students will develop ideas to write poems illustrating alliteration.
b. Students will chose vocabulary that communicates their message of
alliteration and onomatopoeia precisely and clearly. (adapted from
CLAS 2)
c. Students will identify the sound of poetry including alliteration and
onomatopoeia. (adapted from CLAS 6)
B. Materials
1. A book of funny poems, such as Kids Pick the Funniest Poems or A Bad Case of
the Giggles Kids Pick the Funniest Poems, Book #2, both by Bruce Lansky
2. Poetry response journals
3. Appendix D: Tongue Twisters (one per student and one transparency for
overhead projector)
4. Appendix E: Twist My Words! (one per student)
5. Appendix F: I Like the Sound of That! (one per student and one transparency for
overhead projector)
6. Appendix G: Poetry Frames (one per student and one transparency for overhead
projector)
7. Red overhead projector pen (one for teacher)
8. Red color crayon or colored pencil (one per student)
9. Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders (one book per student or copies of
two of the three poems from Lesson One: The Eagle: A Fragment and
Jabberwocky
10. A book of fun poems to read to the class, such as Kids Pick the Funniest Poems
or A Bad Case of the Giggles, Kids Pick the Funniest Poems, Book #2, both
selected by Bruce Lansky
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Onomatopoeiathe formation or use of words, such as buzz or cuckoo, that
sound like what they describe
2. Alliterationstarting two or more words in a row with the same first letter or the
same sound
1. At this point in the unit you will want to encourage students to want to read and
listen to poetry. The best way to do this is to read poetry to children frequently.
Children at the 5th grade level love to hear funny or goofy poems. A great book
to read to the students is Kids Pick the Funniest Poems or A Bad Case of the
Giggles Kids Pick the Funniest Poems, Book #2, selected by Bruce Lansky.
2. Choose a poem or two of your choice to read aloud to the students. Make this a
fun activity. Encourage the students to share thoughts and reactions.
3. Hand out Appendix D: Tongue Twisters to each student. These tongue twisters
were taken from the Crazy Bone website: www.crazybone.com/ttwisters.html.
Read the first tongue twister to the students. Ask for a volunteer to share with
the class which sounds or letters are repeated in tongue twister A. Lead the class
in putting red check marks over the sounds or letters that are repeated.
4. It is a good idea to encourage the students to want to read poetry aloud. The
more practice they have, the better they will get at reading poetry. Have several
students read the tongue twisters from Appendix D aloud.
5. Ask the students what makes tongue twisters so difficult to say. The students
should come to the conclusion that the same sounds or letters being repeated
tends to get their tongues twisted. Now, write alliteration and its definition on
the board or overhead projector. Hand out Appendix E: Twist My Words! to
each student. Have the students write the definition of alliteration on their
worksheet. Instruct the students to write their own tongue twisters.
6. Ask students if any of them would like to share their tongue twisters with the
class.
7. Have the students get out their Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders
books. Have them read The Eagle: A Fragment, by Alfred Lord Tennyson
again. Encourage a discussion about alliteration. Do they find any alliteration in
this poem? If they do, what lines is alliteration evident. Ask the students what
they think about alliteration. Does it add to the poem? Would the poem sound
better with alliteration or without it? Why?
8. Finish up this session by reading Night, Knight, by Anonymous in Kids Pick
the Funniest Poems.
9. Begin the second session by reading another funny or interesting poem of your
choice. Again, ask students for their reactions or thoughts.
10. Review the first session of Lesson Two. What is alliteration? Ask for an
example of alliteration. Why do poets use alliteration?
11. Hand out Appendix F: I Like the Sound of That! Using the transparency of
Appendix F, read the poem Clatter, by Joyce Armor to the students or have one
of them read the poem aloud. Ask the students for their reactions or thoughts.
Ask the students what many of the words in the poem have in common. The
students should recognize that many of the words sound like what they describe.
Go through the first few lines with the students and help them to circle the words
that sound like what they describe. Then, have the students circle the rest of the
words independently.
12. Come back together as a class and discuss the students answers. Write the word
onomatopoeia on the board or overhead projector. Explain to the students that
this is the concept that they just circled in the poem, Clatter. Write the
definition of onomatopoeia and have the students copy this onto their worksheet.
You can give more examples of onomatopoeia by asking if any students have
seen the Batman movies or read Batman comic books, which contain several
examples.
13. Hand out Appendix G: Poetry Frames. This concept was taken from Crazy Bone
website: www.crazybone.com/ttwisters.html.
14. Have the students work on Appendix G independently or in groups. Groups
might be better to give the students the opportunity to brainstorm ideas together.
When the students are done, ask for volunteers to share their Poetry Frames with
the class.
15. Have the students record the definitions of onomatopoeia and alliteration in
their response journals.
16. End this session by having the students open up their Listen, My Children Poems
for Fifth Graders books and turning to pg. 31. Read Jabberwocky aloud. Ask
the student if they see any examples of onomatopoeia in Jabberwocky. Some
possible examples are: whiffling and snicker-snack.
1. Appendices D and E
2. Discussion of the evidence of alliteration in The Eagle: A Fragment
3. Appendices F and G
Lesson Three: Figuratively Speaking (two days at 60 minutes each, October)

A. Daily Objectives
b. Students will understand figurative language.
c. Students will begin to understand poetry terms and how to decipher a
variety of poetry.
2. Lesson Content
a. A Poison Tree, by William Blake
b. Some Opposites, by Richard Wilbur
c. The Tyger, by William Blake
d. The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost
e. Terms: literal and figurative language, imagery, metaphor, simile,
symbol, and personification
a. Students will draw conclusions about the use of symbolism in a variety
of poems (adapted from CLAS 4).
b. Students will read, respond to in a response journal, and discuss a variety
of poetry (adapted from CLAS 6).
c. Students will understand metaphor, simile, imagery, symbolism, and
personification to determine how figurative language supports the
meaning of poetry (adapted from CLAS 6).
B. Materials
1. Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders (one copy per student or copies of
the three poems listed in Lesson Content
3. Appendix H: Figuratively Speaking! (one per student and one transparency for
the overhead projector)
4. Appendix I: Metaphors and Similes, Appendix J: Symbolism, and Appendix K:
Personification are to be stapled together to form packets (one packet for student)
5. Appendix L: Key for Appendix I Appendix K packet
6. A book with some fun poems to read to the class, such as If I Were In Charge
The Rules Would Be Different! By James Proimos
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Literal Languageyou say exactly what you mean (pg. 69, What Your 5th
Grader Needs to Know)
2. Figurative Languagea more colorful and imaginative way of expressing
yourself in which you dont say exactly what you mean using figures of speech
such as simile, metaphor, symbolism, imagery, and personification (pg. 69, What
Your 5th Grader Needs to Know)
3. Imagerythe language writers use to create mental pictures and other imaginary
sensations; examples include similes and metaphors
4. Metaphora figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared not using
the terms like or as
5. Similea figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared using the
terms like or as
6. Symbolsomething that stands for or suggests something else beyond itself
7. Personificationgiving an inanimate object or an animal the qualities of a
person, a human
1. As in Lesson Two, read some great poems of your choice to the class and ask for
comments and reactions. Some suggestions for poems to read to the class are
any poems from If I Were In Charge The Rules Would Be Different! by James
Proimos.
2. Write the definition of literal language and figurative language on the board.
Have the students write these definitions in their response journals. Explain to
the students that authors often use figurative language to make their writing more
interesting and descriptive.
3. Hand out Appendix H: Figuratively Speaking! to each student. Explain to the
students that they will be reading a few poems that contain figurative language.
Ask for volunteers to read the poems aloud. Remind the students again how to
read poetry aloud; they need to pay attention to the punctuation. Ask the students
to pay attention to the language of each poem. They are to watch for words that
make the poems descriptive or more interesting.
4. After the class reads each poem, ask for reactions. Can the students recognize
any words or phrases that they think might be figurative language?
5. Have the students put Appendix H to the side of their desk. Write the definitions
of imagery, metaphor, simile, symbol, and personification on the board or
overhead projector. Have the students add these definitions to their response
journals. The students should skip a few lines after each definition so that they
can write down some examples of each definition. Let the students know that
imagery is used to give the reader a clear, mental picture or other sensations.
Metaphors and similes can be used to create imagery for the reader. For
example, busy as a bee, sweet as honey, hes an angel, and hes a mule.
Each of the metaphors or similes above give the reader a mental picture. Some
examples of a simile are the following: The train sped past the station like a
bullet firing through the sky, She is as loud as a whistling tea kettle, and The
tree bark is as rough as sand paper. Some examples of a metaphor are the
following: The sun is a burning ball of fire, The train is a speeding bullet,
and The fragrant flower is an air freshener. An example of a symbol is the
tiger in The Tyger, by William Blake or the tree in A Poison Tree, also by
William Blake. They will be reading these poems soon. Some other examples of
symbols that you can discuss are Christmas trees, the United State flag, the
swoosh on Nike tennis shoes, etc. An example of personification is the story,
Three Little Pigs. The three little pigs and the wolf in the story are given
human qualities. You could also discuss pets with the students. Do we often
give our pets human qualities? For example, we assume that dogs are happy to
see us when their tales wag or when they lick our faces.
6. Have the students look at Appendix H again. Have them get together in groups
and decide which figures of speech apply to each poem. The students can write
the figure of speech that they feel applies next to each poem. Come back
together as a class and encourage the students to share their thoughts. Some
possible answers are as follows: Youre Eating Like a Pig Again! metaphor,
My Fish Can Ride a Bicycle personification, An Early Worm Got out of
Bed personification, January metaphor (sun a spark, river is a frozen
place, and wind is gray); personification (radiator purrs all day). Remember to
avoid being critical or making this activity have right or wrong answers. If the
students do not seem to understand the concept of figurative language, gently
steer them in the right direction. This activity should be fun and encourage the
students to look at figurative language as making poetry more descriptive and
interesting.
7. Begin session two by again reading fun poetry to the class a book of your choice.
Again, encourage thoughts and reactions.
8. Have the students get out their reaction journals and review the definitions from
last session. Encourage the students to contribute other examples of the
vocabulary if they can.
9. Hand out the packet that includes Appendix I Appendix K. Have the students
work on the packet independently. Have them use the vocabulary in their
response journals to help them. Encourage the students to first write their
thoughts about the poems from Appendix J: Symbolism in their response
journals before answering the questions on the worksheet.
10. End the lesson with reading from Opposites, by Richard Wilbur. Ask the
students for their thoughts and reactions. Have the students respond to this poem
in their reaction journals by trying to come up with the opposite of the following:
an icicle, a scream, a rainbow, and rain.
1. Appendix H Appendix K
2. Appendix L: Key
Lesson Four: The Power of Observation (two days at 60 minutes each, January)
A. Daily Objectives
variety of poetry.
2. Lesson Content
a. A bird came down the walk, by Emily Dickinson
b. I like to see it lap the miles, by Emily Dickinson
c. The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost
d. A Wise Old Owl, by Edward Hersey Richards
a. Students will chose descriptive words that communicates their message
clearly and precisely (adapted from CLAS 2).
b. Students will use adjectives appropriately (adapted from CLAS 3).
c. Students will determine the authors purpose in a variety of poetry
(adapted from CLAS 4).
d. Students will read, respond to in a response journal, and discuss a variety
B. Materials
3. Appendix M: Rhyme Scheme (one per student and one transparency for the
overhead projector)
4. Appendix N: Rhyme Scheme Key
5. Appendix O: Rhyme Scheme Continued (one per student)
6. Appendix P: Rhyme Scheme Continued Key
7. Thesaurus (one for each student or one per pair of students)
8. A variety of cut up fruits (have at least three different kinds of fruit for each
student to taste and experience)
9. A book of poems that include vivid language and observations, such as A Childs
Calendar, by John Updike
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Rhyme Schemethe arrangement of rhymes in a poem or stanza
2. Divergeto branch out
3. Troddenwalked on
1. Begin this lesson by reading a poem or two to the class. This lesson will be
dealing with poets using the power of observation in their poetry, so it would be
great if you could read poetry involving the beauty of nature. A great book with
poetry celebrating the seasons is A Childs Calendar, by John Updike.
2. Read I like to see it lap the miles and A bird came down the walk, by Emily
Dickinson on pg. 16 and 17. As soon as the students have heard the poems, ask
them to respond to the poems in their response journals. Ask the students to
share their thoughts or reactions with the class. In addition, read the biographical
information on pg. 16 about Emily Dickinson. It is said that Emily Dickinson
rarely came out of her house. Ask the students how she could have written the
above poems when she rarely left her house. Let the students know that Emily
Dickinson probably had good observation skills. When she looked out her
window, she noticed that beauty of birds and small details such as dew on the
grass. Ask the students what they think I like to see it lap the miles is about.
This is a descriptive poem about a train. Emily Dickinson also does a great job
of using personification to describe the journey of this particular train. The poem
gives the impression that this train is a living entity when the poet suggests that
the train is feeding itself, crawling, complaining, etc.
3. Ask the students if they notice any words that rhyme in A bird came down the
walk. Is there a pattern? The beginning of the poem does have a clear pattern,
but the third, fourth, and fifth stanzas are not as clear.
4. Have the students read A Wise Old Owl, by Edward Hersey Richards on pg. 7.
Again, have the students respond to the poem in their response journals. Ask for
volunteers to share their thoughts. How does this poem apply to real life? The
main theme of this poem is to know when to remain quiet. Sometimes it is much
better to listen than to speak. How does this poem apply to the classroom or
dealing with friends? What is it about an owl that makes it the perfect animal for
this poem? It could be that the owl typically sits perched on a branch quietly and
watches and listens to what is going on around him. This poem can also be
stretched to apply to the concept of observation that was discussed after reading
A bird came down the walk. Also, ask the students about the rhyme scheme of
A Wise Old Owl. They should be able to discover a pattern in how the words
rhyme. The first two lines rhyme, and then the last two lines rhyme.
5. Finally, have the students read The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost on pg.
19. This poem should be familiar from Lesson Three when symbolism was
discussed. Review the concept of symbolism with the class. Remind the
students that two roads diverged is a fork in the road that symbolizes the
choices that we have to make in life. Ask the students for examples of major
choices that they have had to make in their lives. How did it make them feel to
have to make those choices? Are there any choices that they have made in their
lives that they wish they could change? Have the students respond to the poem
in their response journals. Ask the students if they would like to share their
responses.
6. Ask the students if they notice a pattern in the rhyme scheme of The Road Not
Taken. There is a definite pattern in this poem. This poem is made up of four
stanzas, five lines each. The first, third, and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme
with each other. The second and fifth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other.
7. Hand out Appendix M: Rhyme Scheme to each student. Use Appendix N:
Rhyme Scheme Key to guide the students in finding the rhyme scheme of The
Road Not Taken. Help the students to fill in Appendix M: Rhyme Scheme.
8. Hand out Appendix O: Rhyme Scheme Continued when you feel that the
students have an understanding of how to find the rhyme scheme of a poem.
This should be independent work.
9. The second session of this lesson is a hands- on way for the students to
appreciate the power of observation. Let the students know that the act of
observing is using the senses: sight, taste, smell, feel, and hearing. Have the
students go back and read A bird came down the walk, pg. 17. What senses
can be recognized in this poem? Definitely sight and possibly feel when she is
feeding the crumb to the bird.
10. Ask the students to clear everything off of their desks except their response
journals, a thesaurus, and a pencil. Write the names of the fruits that you have
available for the students to eat and describe on the board or overhead projector.
Have the students write the name of each fruit in their response journal and list
the five senses under each fruit. Make sure that they leave enough room to write
down adjectives that describe their experience eating the different pieces of fruit.
11. Hand out one type of fruit at a time, and lead the students through writing their
experiences in their journals for each of the senses. For example, have the
students write down words that describe the feel of a strawberry. This could be
how the strawberry feels to the fingers, lips, and tongue. The students should
write down as many adjectives as they can think of for each of the senses.
12. When the students are done trying the fruit, have them use a thesaurus to come
up with other descriptive words. Have the students write down two descriptive
words for each of the senses for each of the different kinds of fruit. Have them
turn these descriptive words into you.
13. You can then create a bulletin board full of descriptive words. Label the
different kinds of fruit on the bulletin board and include the variety of descriptive
words that the students have come up with that appeal to the senses.
1. Appendix O: Rhyme Scheme Continued
2. Appendix P: Rhyme Scheme Continued Key
3. Bulletin board full of descriptive words created by the students
Lesson Five: The Emotions of it all (two days at 60 minutes each, February)
A. Daily Objectives
variety of poetry.
2. Lesson Content
a. I Hear America Singing, by Walt Whitman
b. I, too, sing America, by Langston Hughes
c. The Snowstorm, by Waldo Emerson
a. Students will read, respond in a response journal, and discuss a variety of
poetry that represents points of view from places, people, and events that
are familiar and unfamiliar (adapted from CLAS 6).
b. Students will determine the emotions revealed in various poems (adapted
from CLAS 4).
B. Materials
1. Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders (one book per student or copies of
2. Poetry response journal
3. Appendix Q: Emotions are running high! (one per student)
4. Dictionary (one per group of four to five students)
5. A book of fun poems to read to the class, such as Something BIG Has Been Here,
by Jack Prelutsky
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Blithecheerful
2. Masona person who works or builds with stone or brick
3. Hattera person who makes, sells, or repairs hats
4. Ploughboya boy who leads or guides a team of animals in plowing
5. Robustfull of health and strength
6. Alightto come down and settle
7. Veilscovering
8. Couriersomeone who delivers messengers
9. Tumultuousconfused or disorderly
10. Quarryan open pit where one gets stone from
1. Begin this lesson by reading some fun poetry to the class. Another great book
with some fun poems is Something BIG Has Been Here, by Jack Prelutsky.
Encourage the students to share thoughts and reactions.
2. Review the concept of poetry appealing to the senses. Ask the students for their
reactions to the activity where they ate fruit and described the experience.
Further this conversation by asking students to describe how they feel on a hot
day when it is 100 degrees or better. Ask the students to describe a freezing day
when there was ice everywhere and it was 20 degrees outside.
3. Let the students know that today they are going to be dealing with poems that
were written to make the reader feel a certain way. Poets might want the reader
to feel sad, happy, angry, prideful, or scared. Encourage the students to listen to
the poetry carefully, and try to decide what emotions they are feeling as they
listen to the poetry.
4. Go over the following poetry with the students: blithe, mason, hatter, ploughboy,
and robust. Now read I Hear America Singing, by Walt Whitman on pg. 10.
Have the students respond to the poem. What are they feeling? What is the
message that Walt Whitman is trying to get across? Encourage the students to
share their thoughts and reactions. Walt Whitman was alive during a very
difficult time. He was around for the Civil War and the Emancipation
Proclamation. Walt Whitman was proud to live in a democratic country, and he
was in favor of diversity. He felt that all people in America should be considered
Americans no matter what they did for a living or how much money they made.
However, his poem does not clearly state that African Americans should be
included. No one knows for sure why Walt Whitman did not make this clear.
Maybe he assumed that everyone would understand that his poem was inclusive,
or maybe he meant for his poem to not include African Americans. Langston
Hughes wrote a poem in response to the above poem. The students will be
reading this poem shortly.
5. Read I, too, sing America, by Langston Hughes on pg. 11 with the students.
When the students are done reading the poem, have them respond to the poem in
their journals. Explain to the students that Langston Hughes was also alive
during a fairly difficult time. He was around for World War I and II and he
witnessed years of the Civil Rights movement, which was fighting for African
Americans to be treated equal with white people. Langston Hughes had wanted
to work on a ship over seas, so he ended up getting a job on a ship. This ship
took him to Paris, France where he stayed for awhile. He then wanted to travel to
Italy, but he was robbed on the train on the way to Italy. With no money he was
stranded with no way to get back to the U.S. He tried to get a job on a ship
heading to the U.S., but they would not hire him because he was African
American. He had to wait around until he found a ship that was only carrying
African Americans. When he got back to the U.S., Langston found himself to be
depressed. While he was depressed about the prejudice he experienced, he wrote
I, too, sing America in response to Walt Whitmans poem I Hear America
Singing. When you have given the students this background information, have
them go back and read the poem again. Have their feelings changed? What do
they think the feelings of Langston Hughes were? What might be some of the
feelings that Walt Whitman was feeling? What do the students think that
Langston Hughes wants his readers to feel?
6. Go over the following vocabulary with the students: alight, veils, courier,
tumultuous, and quarry. The next poem that the students are to read is The
Snowstorm, by Ralph Waldo Emerson on pg. 14 & 15. Emerson loved nature,
which is reflected in many of his poems. The Snowstorm will not pull out near
as much emotion or feelings as the previous poems of this lesson, but the
students might experience feelings like calmness, peace, etc. Read the poem
with the students, and have them respond in their response journals. Encourage
the students to share their feelings with the class. After reading this poem you
will probably notice that the author gives the impression that the snowstorm is
almost alive. The author gives this impression through the use of vivid language,
imagery, and comparing the snowstorm to someone who is building a structure.
The fierce snowstorm is creating structures, but not structures that will last due to
the sun melting them away.
7. During the second session of this lesson, the students will be participating in a
fun activity dealing with displaying emotions. Hand out Appendix Q: Emotions
are running high! to each student. This is an activity that gets the students
familiar with the way certain emotions sound in poetry and how saying lines of
poetry different ways can give it different meanings.
8. Have the students figure out what each emotion means from each other or from
the dictionary. Half of the fun of this activity is allowing the students to give
their own interpretation of what emotions sounds like. Break the students into
groups of four or five. Give them time to determine the meanings of the variety
of emotions and to practice.
9. Finally, have the groups present their interpretation of the quote using the
different emotions. Some people in the groups will have to go more than once.
10. You can end the lesson by reading a funny poem that will leave the students
feeling the emotion of happiness. A great poem for this purpose is Sick, by
Shel Silverstein, which can be found in Kids Pick the Funniest Poems, Poems
That Make Kids Laugh..
1. Student participation in discussing the feelings that they have after listening to
the three poems
2. Student participation in the emotion activity from Appendix Q: Emotions are
running high!
Lesson Six: The Moodiness of Poetry (three-five days at 60 minutes each, April)
A. Daily Objectives
b. Students will understand figurative language.
c. Students will begin to understand poetry terms and how to decipher a
variety of poetry.
2. Lesson Content
a. Barbara Frietchie, by John Greenleaf Whittier
b. Battle Hymn of the Republic, Julia Ward Howe
c. The Arrow and the Song, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
d. Incident, by Countee Cullen
e. O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman
a. Students will generate topics and develop ideas for writing and reciting
poetry to the class (adapted from CLAS 2).
b. Students will choose vocabulary and vivid language that communicates
their poetry clearly and precisely (adapted from CLAS 2).
c. Students will determine the authors purpose and draw conclusions about
a variety of poems (adapted from CLAS 4).
d. Students will read, respond to in response journals, and discuss a variety
e. Students will use figurative language in their poetry and understand how
figurative language supports the meaning of their poetry (adapted from
CLAS 6).
B. Materials
the five poems listed in the Lesson Content section)
3. Appendix S: Poetry Project Requirements (one per student and one transparency
for overhead projector)
4. Appendix T: Poetry Project Rubric (one per student and one transparency for
overhead projector)
5. Large construction paper (one per student)
6. Crayons, markers, or colored pencils (one set per student)
7. Thesaurus (one per student or pair of students)
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Moodan emotional state
1. Begin this lesson by reading the three poems from Appendix R: The Moodiness
of Poetry. Have the students follow along as you read the poems to them. Ask
the students to respond on Appendix R in a word or two how each poem makes
them feel. For example, do the poems make them feel happy, sad, angry, etc.
2. Encourage discussion about how each of the poems made the students feel.
There is no right or wrong answer, and the mood of some poems is more obvious
than others. For example, the poem Incident is a very powerful poem and will
more than likely lead to a mood of sadness or anger. Other poems like
November may lead to a mood anywhere from loneliness to hope.
3. Explain to the students that this lesson is closely related to Lesson Five, which
dealt with emotions in poetry. Many times a poet will write a poem with a
particular mood in mind. In other words, the poet has a particular emotion in
mind for the reader to feel. Encourage the students to experience the mood or
moods of poetry; these emotions are what increase the pleasure and intensity of
reading poetry. This first part of the lesson will more than likely take two
sessions by itself to allow for great discussions about these famous poems.
4. This lesson has essentially two parts to it; the students will be experiencing the
many moods of poetry, which will inspire them to write their own poetry with a
particular mood in mind. Let the students know ahead of time that they will be
writing their own poem during this lesson, so they will want to pay particular
attention to how the mood of poetry makes them feel. As poets, the students will
want to encourage their readers to experience a particular mood as well.
5. Read Incident, by Countee Cullen again. Explain to the students that there are
actually two moods to this poem. Have the students respond in their response
journals. Encourage the students to share their thoughts or feelings. Ask the
students how they feel at the beginning of the poem. The beginning of the poem
illustrates a boy enjoying the day. At this point in the poem the reader has no
idea that something horrible is going to happen other than the foreshadowing that
the title Incident may give. Ask the students how the mood changed from the
beginning of the poem to the end. When the boy innocently smiles at the
stranger and then is called a nigger, the mood drastically changes and almost
leaves the reader in a state of shock and sadness. Explain to the students that the
poet does an excellent job of giving the reader an idea of what it is like to be
African American and experience prejudice. The poet was African American, so
he more than likely was speaking from experience.
6. Have the students read The Arrow and the Song, by Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow on pg. 9. Have the students respond to the poem in their response
journals. Encourage the students to share their ideas of what the mood of this
poem is. Longfellow is known for writing poems that are positive and optimistic.
It is thought that Longfellow liked to make his readers feel good; he wrote about
topics that anyone can relate to. Longfellows poems have an easy rhyme
making them memorable.
7. The last three poems of this lesson deal with the Civil War. Begin this discussion
by encouraging the students to share their thoughts and knowledge about the
Civil War. You may want to touch on slavery, a country divided, family fighting
family, prejudice, and Abraham Lincoln. Read Barbara Frietchie, by John
Greenleaf Whittier on pg. 23-25 with the students. This is a long poem with a lot
of information, so it would be beneficial to read it more than once. You could
have the students read the poem silently, record their thoughts and feelings in
their response journals, and then read the poem as a class. Encourage the
students to share their thoughts and ideas about the poem. What do the students
think the mood of this poem could be? John Greenleaf Whittier was very
patriotic, which is evident in this poem considering it was written in the midst of
the Civil War. Being an abolitionist Whittier was against slavery, which was his
inspiration for writing this poem. Barbara Frietchie was an actual woman who
lived during the Civil War. Some say that this poem is based on a true story, but
no one knows for sure if she actually defied the Confederate troops as is
suggested by the poem. Legend has it that she waved a Union flag from an upper
window while Confederate troops, under General Stonewall Jackson, marched
north through Frederick, Maryland. Barbara Frietchie was a supporter of the
Union troops, which were the troops from the North. Barbara Frietchie died on
December 18, 1862, and the facts died along with her. It is known that she was
patriotic and did not believe in slavery. The flag that Barbara supposedly waved
from an upper window to show her devotion to the Union was the flag that
became the Official United States flag on July 4, 1863. Ask the students how
they think Barbara Frietchie felt while she defied the Confederacy. What is the
overall mood of the poem?
8. Have the students read Battle Hymn of the Republic, by Julia Ward Howe on
pg. 26. Have the students respond to the poem in their response journals.
Encourage the students to share their thoughts and reactions. Ask the students if
they recognize this poem. Let the students know that they may have heard this
poem in the form of a song. This poem was first published in February of 1862.
Julia Ward Howe had been visiting a Union Army camp on the Potomac River
near Washington, D.C. during the Civil War. She had heard some Union soldiers
singing a song called John Browns Body, which had a perfect beat to march
to. John Brown was an abolitionist who led a rebellion to free slaves, but he was
hung for his efforts. Julia decided write a song to the same beat as John
Browns Body, which turned out to be Battle Hymn of the Republic. Her
poem quickly came to be the theme song of the Union troops.
9. Finally, read O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman on pg. 27 aloud to the
class. Do not allow the students to look in the book while you are reading.
Encourage them to close their eyes and feel the poem. Challenge them to come
up with the mood of the poem before they know the exact meaning of the poem.
Again, have them respond to the poem in their response journals. What is the
overall mood? Even if the students are not aware of the exact meaning of the
poem at this point, they should have an idea of the mood. It appears that
something sad has just happened, and the poet is upset about the captain that has
just died. The captain in this poem is Abraham Lincoln. The ship is symbolic
for the United States of America. Walt Whitman sympathized with the efforts to
end slavery and to save the Union during the Civil War. He strongly believed in
the liberty of all human beings, so he admired Abraham Lincoln and used the
ship to represent the country that Lincoln was trying to uphold and steer towards
equality. This poem will probably elicit many feelings and thoughts from the
students. Encourage a lively discussion, and ask the students for words or
phrases from the poem that trigger their emotions. What emotions do the
students feel that the poet may have been feeling when he wrote the poem?
Encourage the students to tie in their thoughts form studying the Civil War in
history to these poems.
10. The students will now create their own poetry. Hand out Appendix S: Poetry
Project Requirements to each student. Put your own transparency on the
overhead projector, and go over the requirements of the project with the students.
Make sure that they are clear on what is expected of them. To further clarify the
project requirements, hand out Appendix T: Poetry Project Rubric to each
student. Put your own transparency on the overhead projector, and make sure the
students understand what it is you are looking for.
11. Have the students brainstorm topics or events that are meaningful to them. For
example, they might want to write about September 11, the war in Iraq, the
homeless, a certain season or holiday that makes them happy. Remind the
students that the topic they choose should have a definite mood to it. Have them
do their planning and brain storming in their response journals.
12. Give the students however many days you feel they need to complete their
projects and memorize their poems. When the big day has come to present their
poetry, make it a really fun event. Explain to the students that poetry readings
are very common. At a poetry reading, people get together to share their love of
poetry and the poetry that they have written with other people. High schools will
often have poetry readings. It would be a great idea for the students to be able to
see a real poetry reading before they do their own classroom poetry reading.
Provide treats and refreshments and even invite family members to participate in
the poetry reading. The family members can listen to the students present their
poetry, and encourage the family members to share their favorite poetry as well.
Have the students make invitations for the family members to come and join in
on the fun.
1. Appendix S and Appendix T the poetry reading
Lesson Seven: The Joy of Poetry (two days at 60 minutes each, May)
A. Daily Objectives
2. Lesson Content
a. Casey at the Bat, by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
a. Students will read, respond to in a response journal, and discuss a variety
B. Materials
1. Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders (one per student or a copy of the
poem in the Lesson Content section)
2. Poetry response journal
3. A variety of books from the library that the students can use to find a poem that
they want to share with the class some examples are as follows: Kids Pick the
Funniest Poems, Poems that Make Kids Laugh, selected by Bruce Lansky; A Bad
Case of the Giggles, Kids Pick the Funniest Poems, Book #2, edited by Bruce
Lansky; and Poetry Party! Get Ready to Laugh! By Bruce Lansky
4. Appendix U: Journal Check List
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Ballada narrative poem intended to be sung, consisting of simple stanzas and
usually having a recurrent refrain
2. Melancholysadness, gloom
3. Tumultthe commotion of a great crowd
1. The purpose of this lesson is for the students to end their study of poetry on a
high note. The students will read and discuss a fun poem entitled Casey at the
Bat, and the students will be sharing some of their favorite poems with the class.
Begin the lesson by reading a poem of your choice. A great book with some fun
poems in it is Poetry Party! Get Ready to Laugh! By Bruce Lansky. Encourage
the students to share their thoughts and reactions about the poem that you read.
2. Have the students read Casey at the Bat, by Ernest Lawrence Thayer on pp. 28
and 29. This is a fun poem with a great rhythm, so you might want to allow a
few students to read it aloud. Have the students respond to the poem in their
response journals. What does the poem make them think of? What is the mood
of the poem? What is the rhyme scheme? Etc.
3. According to legend, Ernest Lawrence Thayer was inspired to write this poem
from watching a baseball game in Stockton, California in 1888. Thayers poem
was printed in the San Francisco Examiner in 1888. The poem is a tale of a
baseball players at-bat experiences. Thayer ran the poem in the paper
anonymously, meaning he did not want to take credit for the poem even though it
had become the best-known literary work dealing with baseball. The poem
became even more famous when sung by De Wolf Hopper, a stage performer, in
1888. The poem was written as a ballad, so it only made sense that it would be
sung. When Hopper sang the poem for the first time, he sang with members of
the New York Giants and visiting Chicago White Stockings (later the Cubs) in
attendance. The song was recorded in 1906 and hit no. 3 on the Billboard chart.
In 2000, the baseball team in Stockton renamed themselves the Mudville Nine in
honor of Casey at the Bat.
4. After discussing Casey at the Bat explain to the students that they are going to
be picking out poetry that they want to share with the class. The will be reading
the poems they choose to the class. You can either take the students to the
library or bring several poetry books to the class for the students to browse
through. Also, give the students the option of going home and using resources
there as well. This should be a fun, informal assignment that is intended to bring
closure the poetry unit.
5. There are several really fun poems that you can suggest the students read if some
of them have trouble finding a poem they like. Some suggested poems are as
follows: Molly Peters, by Bill Dodds (A Bad Case of the Giggles), Say What
and Clear as Mud, by Bruce Lansky (Poetry Party), Turn off the TV! by
Bruce Lansky (Poetry Party), Grandmas Kisses, by Jeff Moss (A Bad Case of
the Giggles), and Doing Business, by Babs Bell Hajdusieuicz (Kids Pick the
Funniest Poems). The above books are also great books to have available to the
students when they are trying to find a poem to share.
6. When the students share their poetry, provide a comfortable atmosphere for them
to share. For example, you could have everyone sit on the floor, on beanbags, or
outside. Encourage the students to show respect for the student who is sharing,
as well as the poem being read. In addition, encourage the students to discuss the
poetry that is shared.
7. It would be great if you shared some of your favorite poems as well.
8. The final portion of the poetry unit is for you to collect the poetry response
journals and check them using Appendix U: Journal Check List.
1. Student participation in sharing poems with the class
2. Appendix U: Journal Check List
VI. CULMINATING ACTIVITY

A. The culminating activity is mainly the poetry project from Lesson Six (see Appendices S
and T).
B. Lesson Seven is also a part of the culminating activity considering the students are
sharing their favorite poetry with the class, and they are turning in their poetry response
journals (see Appendix U).
VII. HANDOUTS/WORKSHEETS
A. Appendix A: Music is What?
B. Appendix B: Sailing
C. Appendix C: Jabberwocky Check List
D. Appendix D: Tongue Twisters
E. Appendix E: Twist My Words!
F. Appendix F: I Like the Sound of That!
G. Appendix G: Poetry Frames
H. Appendix H: Figuratively Speaking!
I. Appendix I: Metaphors and Similes
J. Appendix J: Symbolism
K. Appendix K: Personification
L. Appendix L: Key for Appendix I-Appendix K Packet
M. Appendix M: Rhyme Scheme
N. Appendix N: Rhyme Scheme Key
O. Appendix O: Rhyme Scheme Continued
P. Appendix P: Rhyme Scheme Continued Key
Q. Appendix Q: Emotions are running high!
R. Appendix R: The Moodiness of Poetry
S. Appendix S: Poetry Project Requirements
T. Appendix T: Poetry Project Rubric
U. Appendix U: Journal Check List
VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY
A. Core Knowledge K-8 Guide. Virginia: Core Knowledge Foundation, 2000. ISBN 1-
890517-26-7.
B. Denman, G.A. When Youve Made it Your OwnTeaching Poetry to Young People.
Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Educational Books, Inc., 1988. ISBN 0-435-08462-3.
C. Lansky, B. (ed.) A Bad Case of the Giggles, Kids Pick the Funniest Poems, Book #2.
New York: Meadowbrook Press, 1994. ISBN 0-671-89982-1.
D. Lansky, B. (ed.) Kids Pick the Funniest Poems, Poems that Make Kids Laugh. New
York: Meadowbrook Press, 1991. ISBN 0-671-74769-X.
E. Lansky, B. Poetry Party! New York: Meadowbrook Press, 1996. ISBN 0-671-57303-9.
F. Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders. Canada: Core Knowledge Foundation,
2001. ISBN 1-890517-33-X.
G. Poetry Teachers dot Com: http://www.poetryteachers.com
H. Prelutsky, J. Something BIG Has Been Here. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1990.
ISBN 0-688-06434-5.
I. Proimos, J. If I Were in Charge the Rules Would be Different! New York: Scholastic
Press, 2002. ISBN 0-439-20864-5.
J. Pro Teacher: http://www.proteacher.com/070034.shtml
K. Updike, J. A Childs Calendar. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1445-0
L. Web English Teacher: http://www.webenglishteacher.com/poetry.html
Appendix A
Music is What?
Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________________
Answer the following questions using complete sentences.
1. Describe what poetry is to you.
2. Do you like poetry? Why or why not?
3. What did you think of the poem on the overhead projector when you
heard it the first time?
4. How did your feelings for the poem on the overhead projector change
after you heard the song by Christopher Cross?
5. Have your feelings for poetry changed? If so, how?
Appendix B
Sailing
Its not far down to paradise
At least its not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away
And find tranquility
The canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me
Its not far to never never land

No reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy
Of innocence again
Believe me
Sailing
Takes me away
To Where Ive always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free
Fantasy
It gets the best of me
When Im sailing
All caught up in the reverie
Every word is a symphony
Wont you believe me
Its not far back to sanity

At least its not for me
And when the wind is right you can sail away
And find serenity
Believe me
Appendix C
Jabberwocky Checklist
Name of Student: __________________________________________________
Requirements: Yes No
Story written on lined paper glued to poster ___ ___
Poster contains a colored illustration of Jabberwocky ___ ___
Poster is nice and neat ___ ___
Complete heading is written on the back of the poster ___ ___
Story has a title written at the top of the paper ___ ___
Story is approximately one page in length ___ ___
Story makes sense and reasonably follows ___ ___

along with poem, Jabberwocky
Student is able to retell the story without reading off ___ ___
of the poster
Student speaks loud and clear ___ ___
Student looks around and makes eye contact while ___ ___
Speaking
Student stands up straight and does not fidget ___ ___
Appendix D
Tongue Twisters
Name: ___________________________________ Date: __________________
Put a red check mark over the letters or sounds that are the same in each line
of the following tongue twisters.
A. She sells sea shells on the sea shore,

but the shells she sells are not the shells from that shore.
B. Betty Botter has some butter,

But, she said, this butters bitter.
If I bake this bitter butter,
it would make my batter bitter.
But a bit of better butter-
that would make my batter better.
So she bought a bit of butter,

better than her bitter butter,
and she baked it in her batter,
and the batter was not bitter.
So twas better Betty Batter
bought a bit of better butter.
C. Friendly Frank flips fine flapjacks.
D. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck

if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
He would chuck, he would, as much as he could,
and chuck as much wood as a woodchuck would
if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
Appendix E
Twist My Words!
Name: ______________________________ Date: _______________________
Alliteration - _______________________________________________________
Now that you have seen some fun examples of alliteration, it is time to create
your own tongue twisters with lots of alliteration! Write at least three tongue
twisters containing at least five lines each. Each tongue twister must repeat a
different sound. When you are done writing your tongue twisters, put a red
check mark above the letters or sounds that are the same.
Appendix F
I Like the Sound of That!
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________
Use your red pen to carefully circle all of the words that sound like what they
are supposed to describe. Example: Boom! Clink, or Buzz
Clatter
If I should list my favorite words,

Theyd sound a lot like this:
Rumble, crash, snort, jangle, thump,
Roar, fizzle, splat, moo, hiss.
Not to mention gobble, clang,
Tweet, sputter, ticktock, growl;
Crackle, chirp, boom, whistle, wheeze,
Squawk, jingle, quack, thud, howl.
Then of course theres grunt, toot, cuckoo,
Thunder, bank, pop, mush,
Rattle, splash, rip, ding-dong, and
May parents favorite Hush!
Joyce Armor
*Taken from Kids Pick the Funniest Poems
Can you think of any more words that sound like what they are supposed to
describe?
Onomatopoeia - ____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Appendix G
Poetry Frames
Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________________
Use the concept of onomatopoeia to complete the poetry frames below.
In the dark
the bats go ___________________,

the doors go _______________________,
the owls go ____________________,
the rats go ___________________,
the rain goes ___________________,
the wind goes ____________________.
In the street
the cars go ____________________,

the people go ___________________,
the car horns go __________________,
bicycle goes ___________________,
the sirens go ___________________.
In the house
the stairs go _____________________,

the radio goes _____________________,
the baby goes _____________________,
the doorbell goes ____________________,
the blender goes _____________________,
the shower goes ______________________,
the rain on the window goes ________________________.
In the amusement park
the roller coaster goes _____________________,

the children go ______________________,
the water ride goes ______________________,
Appendix H, page 1
Figuratively Speaking!
Name: _______________________________ Date: ______________________
Youre Eating Like a Pig Again!
Youre eating like a pig again!

my mother scolded me,
If you keep eating like a pig,
a pig is what youll be!
I simply cannot fathom

what the fuss is all about,
and havent I a lovely tail,
and see my splendid snout.
By Jack Prelutsky
My Fish Can Ride a Bicycle
My fish can ride a bicycle,

my fish can climb a tree,
my fish enjoys a glass of milk,
my fish takes naps with me.
my fish can play the clarinet,

my fish can bounce a ball,
my fish is not like other fish,
my fish cant swim at all.
By Jack Prelutsky
Appendix H, page 2
Figuratively Speaking!
An Early Worm Got out of Bed
An early worm got out of bed

and murmured, I feel mean!
Ill put my darkest glasses on,
Ill paint myself bright green.
Ill dress up in my wildest wig,

the one with purple bangs,
Ill also wear a pair of horns
and artificial fangs.
The early worm poked up its head,

which looked a perfect fright,
an early bird observed that worm
and lost its appetite.
By Jack Prelutsky
January
The days are short, The sky is low.

The sun a spark The wind is gray.
Hung thin between The radiator
The dark and dark. Purrs all day.
Fat snowy footsteps By John Updike

Track the floor,
And parkas pile up
Near the door.
The river is
A frozen place
Held still beneath
The trees black lace.
Appendix I
Metaphors and Similes
Name: ____________________________ Date: __________________________
Read the following phrases and decide if they are similes or metaphors. Write
your answer on the line.
1. Clouds are cotton balls floating through the sky ________________________
2. The snake was coiled like a spring in the grass ________________________
3. She is as pretty as a newly bloomed rose ________________________
4. The little boy wild like tiger _______________________
5. Her temper is a fireball waiting to explode __________________________
Use a metaphor and a simile to describe the following.
1. a roller coaster ride
2. a thunder storm
3. taking a test
4. a flower
Appendix J
Symbolism
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________________________
Read the following poems in Listen, My Children Poems for Fifth Graders:
The Poison Tree (pg. 22), The Tyger (pg. 21), and The Road Not Taken
(pg. 19). After reading these poems carefully, answer the following questions.
Make sure you explain your answers.
1. What do you think the tree and apple symbolize or stand for in The
Poison Tree?
2. What do you think the tiger symbolizes or stands for in The Tyger?
3. What do you think the fork in the road symbolizes or stands for in The
Road Not Taken?
Appendix K
Personification
Name: _______________________________ Date: _______________________
Read the following sentences, and underline the words that give a quality of a
person or human being.
1. The sun stretches its warmth across the land.
2. The darkness wrapped its arms around me.
3. The sofa wept under the weight of all the people.
4. The apple tree was tired from the weight of all the apples on its branches.
5. The angry wind blew onto the man on the narrow road.
6. The long tree branches reached for the sun.
7. The frigid morning air sucked the air from my chest.
Use personification to give each object below human qualities.
8. a frog
9. a hail storm
10. a puppy
Make up a sentence of your own that includes personification.
Appendix L
Key for Appendix I Appendix K Packet
Appendix I
1. Metaphor 2. Simile 3. Simile 4. Simile 5. Metaphor
Appendix J
1. The Poison Tree
The main theme of this poem is to avoid letting anger build inside of you; it
is better to let it out. The tree could represent growing anger. The apple could
represent the poison that the anger has grown into. Tears could symbolize the
water that waters the tree, helping the anger to grow. The fake smile could be the
sun nurturing the growth of the tree. If the students have other ideas, check to see
if the students have justified or explained their answers.
2. The Tyger
This poem was written during the 19th century when zoos were not readily
available and television was unheard of. The tiger was an exotic animal that
seemed almost alien during this time period, so the misspelling of tiger could be
symbolic of the tiger being very foreign to most people. The tiger in this poem
could represent Gods power to be able to create an animal that is so powerful.
3. The Road Not Taken
Where the roads diverge or form a fork in the road could represent the
choices that we have in life.
Appendix K
1. Stretches 2. Wrapped 3. Wept 4. Tired 5 Angry
6. Reached 7. Sucked
Appendix M
Rhyme Scheme
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, _____

And sorry I could not travel both _____
And be one traveller, long I stood _____
And looked down one as far as I could _____
To where it bent in the undergrowth; _____
Then took the other, just as fair, _____

And having perhaps the better claim, _____
Because it was grassy and wanted wear; _____
Though as for that, the passing there _____
Had worn them really about the same, _____
And both that morning equally lay _____

In leaves no step had trodden black. _____
Oh, I kept the first for another day! _____
Yet knowing how way leads on to way, _____
I doubted if I should ever come back. _____
I shall be telling this with a sigh _____

Somewhere ages and ages hence: _____
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - _____
I took the one less travelled by, _____
And that has made all the difference. _____
By Robert Frost
Appendix N
Rhyme Scheme Key
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, __a___

And sorry I could not travel both __b___
And be one traveller, long I stood __a___
And looked down one as far as I could __a___
To where it bent in the undergrowth; __b___
Then took the other, just as fair, __c___

And having perhaps the better claim, __d___
Because it was grassy and wanted wear; __c___
Though as for that, the passing there __c___
Had worn them really about the same, __d___
And both that morning equally lay __e___

In leaves no step had trodden black. __f___
Oh, I kept the first for another day! __e___
Yet knowing how way leads on to way, __e___
I doubted if I should ever come back. __f___
I shall be telling this with a sigh __g___

Somewhere ages and ages hence: __h___
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - __g___
I took the one less travelled by, __g___
And that has made all the difference. __h___
By Robert Frost
Appendix O
Rhyme Scheme Continued
Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________________
Fill in the correct letters on the line to reveal the rhyme scheme of this poem.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know. _____

His house is in the village though; _____
He will not see me stopping here _____
To watch his woods fill up with snow. _____
My little horse must think it queer _____

To stop without a farmhouse near _____
Between the woods and frozen lake _____
The darkest evening of the year. _____
He gives his harness bells a shake _____

To ask if there is some mistake. _____
The only other sounds the sweep _____
Of easy wind and downy flake. _____
The woods are lovely, dark and deep _____

But I have promises to keep, _____
And miles to go before I sleep, _____
And miles to go before I sleep. _____
By Robert Frost
Appendix P
Rhyme Scheme Continued Key
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know. __a___

His house is in the village though; __a___
He will not see me stopping here __b___
To watch his woods fill up with snow. __a___
My little horse must think it queer __b___

To stop without a farmhouse near __b___
Between the woods and frozen lake __c___
The darkest evening of the year. __b___
He gives his harness bells a shake __c___

To ask if there is some mistake. __c___
The only other sounds the sweep __d___
Of easy wind and downy flake. __c___
The woods are lovely, dark and deep __d___

But I have promises to keep, __d___
And miles to go before I sleep, __d___
And miles to go before I sleep. __d___
By Robert Frost
Appendix Q
Emotions are running high!
I notice people staring at me every where I go.

from the poem Whats so Funny? by Bruce Lansky
Get into your groups and study the list of emotions below. Discuss what each of
the emotions mean. If you are not sure about one, look it up in a dictionary.
Everyone in the group must agree on the definition or the way your group is going
to portray the emotion. Everyone in your group will take turns saying the quote
above using the emotions below. Once you have practiced saying the quote with
the various emotions, your group will perform the quote with different emotions in
front of the class.
A. Mad
B. Sad
C. Glad
D. Nervous or anxious
E. Embarrassed
F. Surprised
G. Suspicious
H. Disgusted
I. Scared
J. Prideful
Appendix R, page 1
The Moodiness of Poetry
Next to each poem, write a word or two that describes how that particular
poem makes you feel.
November
The stripped and shapely

Maple grieves
The loss of her
Departed leaves.
The ground is hard,

As hard as stone.
The year is old,
The birds are flown.
And yet the world,

Nevertheless,
Displays a certain
Loveliness
The beauty of
The bone. Tall God
Must see our souls
This way, and nod.
Give thanks: we do,

Each in his place
Around the table
During grace.
By John Updike
Appendix R, page 2
The Moodiness of Poetry
Katie Kissed Me
Katie kissed me!

Yuck, its true!
My face took on a greenish hue!
My knees, like jelly, started shaking!
Then my stomach started quaking!
Slobber slithered down my cheek!
My consciousness was growing weak!
My ears were ringing, my head was spinning!
But, all the while Kate was grinning!
My heart was pounding through my shirt!
My tongue felt like I just ate dirt!
Though you may think Ive lost my brain!
I wish shed kiss me once again!
By Christine Lynn Mahoney
Incident
Once riding in old Baltimore,

Heart filled, head filled with glee,
I saw a Baltimorean
Staring straight at me.
Now I was eight and very small,

And he was no whit bigger,
And so I smiled, but he stuck out
His tongue, and called me, Nigger.
I saw the whole of Baltimore

From May until November;
Of all the things that happened there
Thats all that I remember.
By Countee Cullen
Appendix S
Poetry Project Requirements
Name: _______________________________ Date: _______________________
Due Date: ___________________________
All year long we have been reading and studying a variety of poetry. Well,
today is your lucky day; it is your turn to be a poet and write poetry of your
own! There is no right or wrong way to write your poem, but there are some
requirements that you will need to follow while working on your poetry
project. The main objective of this lesson is for you to have fun and express
your creative side. Let the poetry take you away!
Requirements:
1. Choose a topic to write a poem about that means a lot to you. This will help
you to establish mood in your poem. Remember to use descriptive language to
bring out mental images and emotions in your reader. Use a thesaurus to help you
to come up with vivid language.
2. Your poem must contain at least 15 lines. It is up to you how many stanzas
your poem is broke up into.
3. Your poem does not have to rhyme. Include punctuation in your poem to help
the reader know when to pause while reading your poem.
4. You will need to include figurative language in your poem. Your poem must
include two or more examples of the following: onomatopoeia, alliteration,
imagery, metaphor, simile, symbolism, or personification. Refer to your response
journals if you need to review the meaning of these terms.
5. Write your poem neatly on a large sheet of construction paper. Include a

detailed drawing next to your poem that clearly describes the content of your
poem.
6. You will be reciting your poem from memory to the class. While reading your
poem, remember to speak slowly and clearly, sit up straight, and maintain eye
contact with the class. Pause at the punctuation.
Appendix T
Poetry Project Rubric
1 2 3 4
The poster is messy and The poster is somewhat The poster is neatly done, The poet has done a
Appearance lacks effort. The poem is neatly done. The poem is and the poem is neatly fantastic job of creating a
difficult to read. The difficult to read. The written. The illustration is poster that is neatly written
illustration is messy, lacks poster is colored, but lacks colored neatly with a fair and colored. The
color and detail. detail. amount of detail. illustration matches the
poem with fantastic detail.
The poem is short and The poem is shorter than The poet has written a The poet has written a
contains little to no 15 lines and contains some poem of 15 lines, which poem of at least 15 lines,
punctuation. The poem is punctuation. Little contains punctuation that which contains appropriate
lacking figurative figurative language is used, does not always add to the punctuation that adds to the
Content
language, and the mood is and it does not always add meaning of the poem. The meaning of the poem. The
not clearly evident due to to the meaning of the poem contains some poem contains at least two
lack of vivid language. poem. Some mood is figurative language that forms of figurative
evident in the poem, but adds to the meaning of the language that also adds to
little vivid language is used poem. The poem contains the sound and meaning of
to set the mood. some vivid language, the poem. The poet has
which adds to the mood of written in vivid language,
the poem. which gives the poem a
definite mood.
The poet could not be It was difficult to The poet read the poem The poet read the poem
understood very well and understand the poet as somewhat slowly, with slowly and with clarity
Presentation did not have the poem he/she read the poem. The some clarity, and completely from memory.
memorized. The poet poet did not know the completely from memory. The poet did a fantastic job
looked uncomfortable, entire poem from memory. The poet sat up straight, of sitting up straight,
lacked eye contact, and The poet did not sit lacked consistent eye maintaining eye contact,
could not be heard. straight, lacked consistent contact, and could not and speaking loud enough
eye contact, and was always be heard in the that his/her voice carried to
difficult to hear. back of the room. the back of the room.
Appendix U, page 1
Journal Check List
Name: _______________________________ Date: _______________________
Lesson One Yes No
Response to Sailing _____ _____
Response to The Eagle: A Fragment _____ _____
Response to Narcissa _____ _____
Lessons Two & Three
The following terms, definitions, and examples:

alliteration, onomatopoeia, literal language,
figurative language, imagery, metaphor, simile,
symbol, and personification _____ _____
Lesson Four
Response to I like to see it lap the miles and

A bird came down the walk _____ _____
Response to A Wise Old Owl _____ _____
Response to The Road Not Taken _____ _____
Response to using 5 senses (eating fruit) _____ _____
Lesson Five
Response to I Hear America Singing _____ _____
Response to I, too, sing America _____ _____
Response to The Snowstorm _____ _____
Appendix U, page 2
Lesson Six Yes No
Response to Incident _____ _____
Response to The Arrow and the Song _____ _____
Response to Barbara Frietchie _____ _____
Response to Battle Hymn of the Republic _____ _____
Response to O Captain! My Captain! _____ _____
Planning and brainstorming for poetry project _____ _____
Lesson Seven
Response to Casey at the Bat _____ _____
Comments:

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Poetry, Take Me Away!

Grade Level or Special Area: Fifth Grade Language Arts

III. BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

Lesson Two: Twisted Terms (two days at 60 minutes each, September)

Lesson Three: Figuratively Speaking (two days at 60 minutes each, October)

VI. CULMINATING ACTIVITY

Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________________

Answer the following questions using complete sentences.

1. Describe what poetry is to you.

2. Do you like poetry? Why or why not?

5. Have your feelings for poetry changed? If so, how?

Its not far to never never land

Its not far back to sanity

Name of Student: __________________________________________________

Story written on lined paper glued to poster ___ ___

Poster contains a colored illustration of Jabberwocky ___ ___

Poster is nice and neat ___ ___

Complete heading is written on the back of the poster ___ ___

Story is approximately one page in length ___ ___

Story makes sense and reasonably follows ___ ___

Student speaks loud and clear ___ ___

Student stands up straight and does not fidget ___ ___

Name: ___________________________________ Date: __________________

A. She sells sea shells on the sea shore,

B. Betty Botter has some butter,

So she bought a bit of butter,

C. Friendly Frank flips fine flapjacks.

D. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck

Name: ______________________________ Date: _______________________

Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________

If I should list my favorite words,

*Taken from Kids Pick the Funniest Poems

Use the concept of onomatopoeia to complete the poetry frames below.

the bats go ___________________,

the cars go ____________________,

the stairs go _____________________,

In the amusement park

the roller coaster goes _____________________,

Name: _______________________________ Date: ______________________

Youre Eating Like a Pig Again!

Youre eating like a pig again!

I simply cannot fathom

My Fish Can Ride a Bicycle

My fish can ride a bicycle,

my fish can play the clarinet,

An early worm got out of bed

Ill dress up in my wildest wig,

The early worm poked up its head,

The days are short, The sky is low.

Fat snowy footsteps By John Updike

1. Clouds are cotton balls floating through the sky ________________________

2. The snake was coiled like a spring in the grass ________________________

3. She is as pretty as a newly bloomed rose ________________________

4. The little boy wild like tiger _______________________

5. Her temper is a fireball waiting to explode __________________________

Use a metaphor and a simile to describe the following.

1. a roller coaster ride

Name: _________________________ Date: _____________________________

Name: _______________________________ Date: _______________________

1. The sun stretches its warmth across the land.

2. The darkness wrapped its arms around me.

3. The sofa wept under the weight of all the people.

6. The long tree branches reached for the sun.

Name: _____________ Date:

Story written on lined paper glued to poster _ _

Poster contains a colored illustration of Jabberwocky _ _

Poster is nice and neat _ _

Complete heading is written on the back of the poster _ _

Story is approximately one page in length _ _

Story makes sense and reasonably follows _ _

Student speaks loud and clear _ _

Student stands up straight and does not fidget _ _

Name: _________________ Date:

Name: ________ Date: _

Name: ________________ Date: _

Name: _________ Date:

Name: _ Date: _____

Name: _________ Date: _

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, a_

Then took the other, just as fair, c_

And both that morning equally lay e_

I shall be telling this with a sigh g_

Name: ____ Date:

Whose woods these are I think I know. a_

My little horse must think it queer b_

He gives his harness bells a shake c_

The woods are lovely, dark and deep d_

Response to Sailing _ _

Response to The Eagle: A Fragment _ _

Response to Narcissa _ _

Response to A Wise Old Owl _ _

Response to The Road Not Taken _ _

Response to using 5 senses (eating fruit) _ _

Response to I Hear America Singing _ _

Response to I, too, sing America _ _

Response to The Snowstorm _ _

Response to Incident _ _

Response to The Arrow and the Song _ _

Response to Barbara Frietchie _ _

Response to Battle Hymn of the Republic _ _

Response to O Captain! My Captain! _ _

Planning and brainstorming for poetry project _ _

Response to Casey at the Bat _ _